(Omaha/Valley) The National Weather Service has extended a Flood Warning until Saturday afternoon for the West Nishnabotna River at Hancock, affecting Pottawattamie County, and at Randolph, affecting Mills and Fremont Counties.
Minor flooding is forecast for the West Nishnabotna River at Randolph. The river is expected to rise above the 19-foot flood stage late Thursday evening, reach 20.7 feet Friday morning, and fall below flood stage Friday evening.
At 1 p.m. Thursday, the river stage was 13.0 feet. Bankfull stage is 19.0 feet. At 22.0 feet, County Road L-68, located five miles south of Randolph, begins to flood.
The river is forecast to fall to 12.9 feet early Sunday morning, then rise to 13.4 feet early Sunday afternoon before falling again and remaining below flood stage.
The forecast crest of 20.7 feet is slightly higher than the previous crest of 20.5 feet recorded on June 22, 1996.
Officials remind motorists to turn around and avoid driving on flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Drivers should not attempt to go around barricades or drive through flooded areas.
People should be especially cautious at night, when flood hazards can be harder to see.
Anyone who observes flooding should report it to local emergency services or law enforcement and, when safe, ask them to pass the information to the National Weather Service.
